Attributional styles and psychosocial functioning of adults with ADHD: practice issues and gender differences.

OBJECTIVE

This study investigates attributional styles and psychosocial functioning of men and women with ADHD identified in adulthood to inform practice issues.

METHOD: One hundred and eighty adults participate: 52 females with ADHD, 37 males with ADHD, 51 female controls, and 40 male controls are administered questionnaires broadly assessing attributional style and psychosocial functioning.

RESULTS

The ADHD groups report more depression and anxiety, greater childhood dissatisfaction, a more external locus of control and lower self-esteem, and being more likely to be classified with a maladaptive attributional style than controls. No specific gender differences are noted in the ADHD groups, although a few overall gender differences emerge, with males reporting lower self-esteem, a more external locus of control, and more dissatisfaction in childhood than females.

CONCLUSION

Consistent with other research, ADHD participants, regardless of gender, are struggling significantly with psychosocial functioning.